Product description medically reviewed by Dr. Ami Patel, PharmD (August 28, 2020)
What is Monovisc?
Monovisc is an injectable synthetic hyaluronic acid solution used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the natural joint fluid (known as “synovial fluid”) that a healthy knee produces to keep the joint properly lubricated, cushioned, and ready for an active lifestyle.
Monovisc is injected into the knee joint by a physician to treat OA-related pain. It is used for people who have found non-pharmacological therapies (such as exercise and physiotherapy) or less invasive pharmacological therapies (such as anti-inflammatory medications or acetaminophen) to be inadequate for treating their pain.
NorthWestPharmacy.com offers a convenient way to reduce the Monovisc cost. As an online Canadian pharmacy and international drugstore, we offer the same high-quality medication at a fraction of the cost of most local pharmacies.
Conditions Treated by Monovisc
Monovisc is used for treating OA of the knee. Knee OA is a progressive, degenerative wear-and-tear disease of joints. As OA progresses, natural HA production diminishes, resulting in less cushioning and lubrication of the joint. As the HA becomes deficient, the protective cartilage of the joint and the bone begin to erode, resulting in pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
What are the Side Effects of Monovisc?
The most commonly reported Monovisc injection side effects are:
- Joint pain (arthralgia)
- Joint swelling
- Pain at the site of injection
Other, less common Monovisc side effects include:
- Joint stiffness
- Baker’s Cyst (cyst behind the knee)
- Small lump (nodule) under the skin
- Rash
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Hives
- Itching
- Nausea
- Swelling in the extremities
- Muscle cramps
- General unwell feeling (malaise)
Monovisc injections should be administered by trained and experienced medical professionals under sterile conditions so as to avoid bleeding into the joint or introducing infection.
What You Should Know Before Using Monovisc
Monovisc should not be injected when there is an infection or skin disease in the area around the injection site or knee joint.
Monovisc should not be administered to people with bleeding disorders.
The effectiveness and safety of Monovisc injections into joints other than the knee has not been established.
The safety and effectiveness of Monovisc has not been established in the following populations:
- Pregnant women
- Nursing mothers
- People under age 21
FAQs:
What is the Proper Dosage of Monovisc?
Monovisc has the significant advantage of being a single-dose medication, unlike some other HA products that require three injections.
The Monovisc dosage is a single pre-filled syringe injected into the affected knee joint.
The effectiveness of more than one Monovisc injection has not been established.
How Long Does it Take For Monovisc to Work?
Transient pain or swelling is common after a Monovisc injection, and strenuous or prolonged (longer than one hour) weight-bearing physical activities should be avoided for 48 hours. The effects of the injection are usually felt as soon as any pain or swelling from the injection have resolved.
The information provided on the NorthWestPharmacy.com website is intended to facilitate awareness about healthcare products and medical conditions generally but it is not a substitute for professional medical attention or advice. You should always speak with a qualified healthcare practitioner before taking any prescription or non-prescription drug.